Chapter Twenty-One: Whisper Words of Wisdom

Tears swam in Haley's eyes as she looked at Nathan's earnest face. Part of her, the little girl in her, wanted to flee. Too much had happened. Emotions were pent up inside of her and couldn't escape.

"Are you asking me because you need to trust me again?" she whispered. He brushed away a tear that trickled down her cheek.

"I'm asking you because I'm going to love you forever," promised Nathan.

"How do you know that?"

Nathan looked at her with the look she'd never truly begun to understand, the one that saw more of her than she knew herself. That somehow told her everything she needed to hear without saying a word. With less than a whisper. Haley thought of the brief contentment she'd felt living with Brooke, how lonely her departure had made her. Somehow more lonely than she'd been in all her years of being alone.

"Yes," whispered Haley. Nathan's eyes widened.

"Yes?" he asked.

"Yes," she said again. She leaned forward and kissed him.

"I have to get permission or something…" said Nathan, looking far from worried.

"It's just a stupid form. Come on, we have to get going," said Haley, standing up and yanking on his hand.

"Why?"

"We're going to New Yor…" Haley frowned when a tall, dark haired girl walked in, smiling nervously.

"Haley?" said the girl nervously.

"Davis, right?" she said in response. Nathan scowled in spite of himself and his hold tightened on her hand.

"Yeah. I know you guys are still missing a cheerleader and I was wondering if…" Davis trailed off nervously.

"What, because you haven't replaced her fully yet?" snarled Haley nastily. Davis paled. She was no match for a vindictive Haley.

"I was just…"

"You were just. Please. You know what you're doing," said Haley.

"Actually, I don't. You have a problem with me?" demanded Davis, regaining composure and beginning to anger. Haley took a deep breath.

"Auditions are next week. We'll talk then," said Haley. Nathan winced as he saw Davis eagerly stare as Haley took Nathan's hand and walked out with him. They were back in the public eye.

XxxxxxX

Haley's fist hovered in midair as she contemplated knocking, scared to do so, and scared to turn and leave. Nathan solved the problem by covering her hand in his. They knocked together.

She held her breath as footsteps came toward them, and a female voice indistinctly called out something.

"Yeah?" said the same voice. Haley's breath came in sharply. Brooke's hair was longer, and cut differently to better suit her face. Her clothes were expensive and revealing but not trashy. She looked like Haley. Only different.

"Brooke?" Haley managed to say. Brooke's eyes, which had been growing progressively wider, softened.

"Hales!" she cried in delight, throwing her arms around her younger sister.

"I missed you!"

"You too! You look so pretty!" exclaimed Brooke.

"Your hair! I love it!" said Haley. Nathan smiled at the joyful reunion and compared it to the days before the Classic.

"Hey Brooke," he said. Brooke detached herself from Haley and hugged Nathan.

"Hey buddy," she whispered, nestling into his emrace. Haley smiled and forced herself not to be jealous. Reminded herself that she had no right to be.

"What are you guys doing here?" asked Brooke eventually, when the three of them were sitting down inside the apartment.

She raised her eyebrows, half in worry, half in curiosity, when the two of them exchanged looks. She jealously watched as they made silent communication. The kind she'd made with Lucas.

"Oh, hey," said a voice, just as Haley opened her mouth. Brooke smiled and gestured to the blonde girl that walked in.

"Sorry, I got distracted. Everyone, this is my friend Sam. Sam, this is my friend Nathan and my sister Haley," said Brooke.

"Hi, nice to meet you. Sorry, I have to head out. We're going out tonight-you andJackie are coming, right?" asked Sam. Brooke winced visibly when the name slipped out.

"Jackie?" said Haley, as soon as Sam had stepped out.

"Tell me your news," said Brooke stiffly. Haley rolled her eyes, but she couldn't contain her excitement.

"We're getting married," she revealed.

Nathan's mouth opened to elaborate on the news, but closed again when Brooke looked between the two of them, eyes wide in shock.